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				Statutes

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Dock Workers (Safety, Health & Welfare) Regulations, 1990

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Regulations

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PART III
Safety

HANDLING OF CARGO

65. Loading and unloading operations.-

(1) No cargo shall be loaded or unloaded by a fall or sling at any intermediate deck unless either the hatch at that deck is securely covered or a secure landing platform of a width not less than that of one section of hatch coverings has been placed across it: Provided that this regulation shall not apply to any loading or unloading work the whole of which may be completed within a period of half an hour.

(2) No loose gear or any other object shall be thrown in or out of the holds.

(3) During the loading and unloading of bulk cargo a record of all dock workers employed in the hold shall be maintained and produced on demand to the Inspector.

(4) Where necessary cargo shall be secured or blocked to prevent its shifting or falling. In breaking down, precautions shall be taken where necessary to prevent the remaining cargo from falling.

(5) (a) Dragging of cargo shall be done with the ship's winches only when the runner is led directly from the derrick heel block; and

(b) Pulley blocks shall be used to provide a fair lead for the runner so as to prevent it from dragging against obstructions.

(6) If the head room in the hold of a ship for the purpose of stacking and unstaking is less than 1.5 metres, suitable measure shall be taken to guard against accident.

(7) Loads shall be safely slung before being hoisted. Loose dunnage or debris hanging or protruding from loads shall be removed and suitable means shall be adopted to prevent cargo from falling out.

(8) Cargo handling bridles, such as pallet bridles, which are to remain attached to the lifting appliance while hoisting successive sling loads, shall be attached by shackles, or other positive means shall be taken to prevent them from becoming accidentally disengaged from the hook of the lifting appliance.

(9) When lifting appliance is operating without a load on the slings:

(a) slings or chains shall be hooked securely to the appliances before the operators are given signal to move;

(b) sharp hooks, multiple hooks and claws shall not hang at one end but shall be reeved through slings; and

(c) the operators shall raise the appliance sufficiently to keep clear off dock workers and objects.

(10) Effective measures shall be taken, by the use of suitable packing or otherwise, to prevent edges of any load from coming in contact with any rope or chain sling which is likely to cause any damage to the rope or chain sling.

(11) Buckets, tubs and similar appliances shall not be loaded above their rims.

(12) No loads shall be lifted at strappings unless such strappings are approved as proper and safe slinging points. Movement of such loads is allowed only if everybody has left the danger zone.

(13) When working with lifting appliances, slope-pulling, horizontal dragging and intentional swing of loads and lifting devices are prohibited.

66. Stacking and unstacking.-

(1) Where stacking, unstacking, stowing or unstowing, stuffing or destuffing of cargo or handling in connection therewith cannot be safely carried out unaided, reasonable measures to guard against accidents shall be taken by shoring or otherwise.

(2) Stacking of cargo shall be made on firm foundation not liable to settle and the weight of the cargo shall be such as not over- load the floors.

(3) Cargo shall not be stacked against partition or walls of warehouses or store places unless it is known that the partition or the wall is of sufficient strength to withstand the pressure.

(4) Cargo shall not be stacked to such a height and in such a manner as would render the pile unstable.

(5) Where the dock workers are working on stacks exceeding 1.5 metre in height, safe means of access to the stack shall be provided.

(6) Stacking and unstacking work shall be performed under the supervision of an authorised person.

67. Handling objects having sharp and projecting parts.-

Dock workers handling objects with sharp edges, fins, slivers, splinters or similar dangerous projecting parts shall be provided with suitable protective equipment.

68. Hooks for bales, etc.-

When the working space in a hold is confined to the square of the hatch, hooks shall not be made fast In the bands or fastenings of bales of cotton, wool, cork, gunny bags, or other similar goods, nor shall can hooks be used for raising or lowering a barrel when owing to the construction or condition of the barrel or of the hooks, their use is likely to be unsafe.

69. Cargo platforms.-

(l) Cargo platforms (except those formed by cargo itself) shall be made of sound material, substantially and firmly constructed, adequately supported and maintained in good repair.

(2) Cargo platforms shall-

(a) be of sufficient size to receive cargo and to ensure the safety of dock workers working on them;

(b) if of a height exceeding 1.5 metres, in addition to the requirements of (a) above, be protected on any side, which is not being used for receiving or delivering cargo, by substantial fencing to a height of one metre; and

(c) be provided with safe means of access, such as ladders or starts.

(3) Cargo platforms shall not be overloaded.

(4) Portable trestles shall be so placed as to be steady.

70. Restrictions on loading and unloading operations.-

(1) No other work, for example, maintenance or repair work such as sand blasting or welding shall be performed at places where dock work is in progress if it is likely to endanger or obstruct the person carrying out dock work.

(2) When more than one gang of dock workers are employed in dock work simultaneously in a hold, it shall be ensured that,--

(a) the operation of loading or unloading is harmonised to avoid dangers to the working gangs from one another;

(b) the slung cargo of one gang will not endanger the dock workers of the other gang;

(c) where gangs are working at different levels, a net shall be rigged and securely fastened to prevent dock workers from falling down or cargo falling on to dock workers below;

(d) over crowding of gangs in a section of the hold is avoided.

71. Dock work and midstream.-

No dock worker shall be employed to handle cargo on any ship anchored in midstream whenever, the working conditions are considered to be dangerous.

72. Work during berthing and shifting of ships.-

(1) While ships are being berthed or shifted, no dock work shall be carried out by dock workers in the holds or hatches and on docks.

(2) When ships are being moored, dock workers shall be kept clear of the mooring ropes and in particular, shall not be allowed to stand in the height of ropes being hauled by capstans.

73. Protective equipment.-

(1) Where other means of protection against harmful agents are impracticable or insufficient, dock workers shall be provided with adequate protective clothing and personal protective equipment to shield them from the effects of such agents.

(2) Protective clothing personal protective equipment shall be of suitable quality and maintained in good condition and shall be cleaned and disinfected at suitable intervals.

(3) Where protective equipment and clothing may be contaminated by poisonous or other dangerous goods, it shall be stored in a separate accommodation where it will not contaminate the dock workers clothing and other belongings.

(4) Suitable protection equipment shall be issued to the dock workers employed in the reefer holds or chambers or reefer containers for affording complete body protection:

74. Winch and crane operators.-

There shall be one winch or crane operator for each single or pair of loading winches or cranes which can be operated from the same point and he shall,-

(a) be not less than 18 years of age;

(b) be competent and reliable;

(c) possess the knowledge of the inherent risks of the winch/crane operation; and

(d) be medically examined periodically as per the Schedule XI.

75. Signaller.-

(1) When cargo is being loaded or unloaded by a fall at a hatchway, a signaller shall be employed, and where more than one fall is being worked at a hatchway, a separate signaller shall be employed to attend to each fall: Provided that:

(a) this regulation shall not apply, in cases where a barge, lighter or other similar vessel is being loaded or unloaded, if the operator of the crane or winch, working the fall has a clear and unrestricted view of those parts of the hold where dock work is being carried on; and

(b) where the Inspector is of the opinion that owing to the nature of the crane or winch or other appliance in use or by reason of any special arrangements, the requirements of this regulation are not necessary for the safety of dock workers, he may by certificate In writing (which he may at his discretion revoke) suspend such requirements subject to such conditions as may be specified in such certificate.

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